Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware among first to restructure contract as club works to carve out cap room

Dallas Morning News | Feb 28

Fans have become accustomed to seeing DeMarcus Ware lead theCowboys in sacks.

He often takes the lead in restructuring his contract as well.

The Pro Bowl linebacker has moved money around for the third consecutive year to help the club carve out salary cap room. A source confirmed that Ware has tacked two years onto his contract and had a signing bonus rolled into the upcoming season. The maneuver puts $5 million into Ware’s bank account while saving the Cowboys close to $4 million on the books in 2013.

There is much more that needs to be done. The Cowboys entered the month $21.1 million over the projected cap that goes into place March 12. The New York Jets ($23.1 million) are the only team with a higher payroll.

Cornerback Brandon Carr has a built-in trigger in his deal that will allow the Cowboys to reduce his cap hit this season by roughly $10.5 million. Players who have recently signed lucrative deals _ tight end Jason Witten, receiver Miles Austin, receiver Miles Austin, defensive tackle Jay Ratliff, cornerback Orlando Scandrick and others _ are also prime targets to have their deal re-worked.

A source also said backup linebacker Dan Conner has been approached about taking a pay cut from the $3 million he’s scheduled to make this season. Defensive lineman Marcus Spears and fullback Lawrence Vickers could find themselves in a similar situation.

The club can reduce it’s cap number even more if it’s able to sign quarterback Tony Romo to an extension.